Merz backs E3 as Europe's voice in Ukraine peace talks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany, France, and Britain should remain Europe's voice in Ukraine-Russia peace talks, calling the E3 format proven. He spoke at the European Political Community summit in Dublin. Ukraine and Russia resumed US-mediated talks Tuesday for the first time in months. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner plan to convince Vladimir Putin in Moscow that Europeans should join future negotiations, though EU members disagree on who should represent them. Merz stressed Russia's willingness to negotiate matters more than personalities. He also urged all EU states to help close a 45-billion-euro funding gap for Ukraine next year, despite Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, and Bulgaria refusing to contribute.